Pensioners banned from playing cards - because of elf 'n' safety

But now 14 pensioners have been banned from the room they use in a sheltered housing complex because of health and safety concerns.

The group, aged between 70 and 90, were told that the housing association did not have £2million public liability insurance to cover players who were not residents.

Lock-out whist: Tom Coulstock, left, and Bill Corbett play cards

And unless they were prepared to pay an annual premium of £250 - on top of the £1.50 they each pay for room hire every week - they were told they would have to stop.

Bill Corbett, 86, who plays regularly, said: "Perhaps they think that pensioners will attack each other with the playing cards."

The players used five tables in a small corner of the communal room at a housing scheme of 20 flats at Neville Court, in the village of Heacham, Norfolk.

There has not been an accident since the residents and their guests started their game.

But the group was sent a letter by the housing association saying that the insurance was necessary.

Six of the players live in the complex. They are particularly concerned at the ruling as they find it hard to travel to other venues.

House of cards: The sheltered housing scheme where the whist enthusiasts have played for years

"They don't understand why they can't have their friends over to play cards," added Mr Corbett, a former sheet steel worker.

Tom Coulstock, 77, a retired prison maintenance worker, spent a day on the phone trying to organise insurance, but said £250 was the cheapest he was offered.

"We won't be using the room in the future. We'll find somewhere that already has the insurance cover in place," he added.

Freebridge Community Housing said it was common practice to demand that members of the public who take part in activities in hired rooms on its premises were insured.

Chief executive Tony Hall said: "Freebridge charges a nominal hire charge but then requires individuals to organise their own insurance.

"The requirement has been in place for many years but as Freebridge recently updated the hire agreement it is checking that groups have their own insurance in place."